Clive Vale began the 2010 season by travelling to Westfield
Previous encounters between the two sides have historically been hard fought games and this one was no exception.
Batting first, Westfield started well with Tong (37) and Corke (59) putting on 67 for the 1st wicket before returning Vale bowler D.Mortimer (2-22) bowled Tong by one which came off the inside edge. Despite the wicket Westfield continued to bat well with the next wicket falling on the score of 141 when Corke was removed by skipper Carl Brook (4-22). Brook bowled with control off his spell of 8 overs and with the other vale bowlers Liam Stamp (1-15) and Pete Hopkins (1-45), they managed to keep the Westfield total down to 203 off their 40 overs.
In reply Vale started well with opener Adam Wickens (19) hitting boundries at will before departing to Harrod (1-25). There then followed a mini collapse which started when Andy Hayes (19) was trapped in front by Tong (2-18) by a ball which shot along the deck. Scott Price (15) received a decent delivery and Carl Brook (16) also the unlucky recipient of a low one from Lade (3-38) which was now becoming a frequent occurrence on a wicket which was now offering a lot of indifferent bounce. Guy Wenham (16) and Chris Brook (13) then began to steady the ship once more but soon departed again close together when Wenham was bowled by Smissen (1-44) and Chris Brook (13) was brilliantly run out taking on the lethal arm of skipper Dave Legg.
So it was left to the tail to try and get the visitors home and they came close. Liam Stamp (36 not out), Pete Hopkins (13) and Matt Bowles (21) all batted brilliantly in dimming light until the last over when Bowles was bowled with 5 runs needed.
A great game.